The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1887-07-16
A HEROINE OF 1892.

many of the older residents of the Al :
legheny valley can doubtless remem-
Der, old Massey Harbinson was a fire.
qnent visitor at scores Of m-houses
and villages up and down the river
She was tall, stalwart, and resolute;
In her face were lines that told of suf-
ferings and hardship; and her activity
even In her old age, proved her 10 be u
woman OF more than ordinary physical
vigor. Her business, while upon her
frequent Journeys, was the sale Of u
small book-a narrative Of her own
life. and one of the most remarkable
histories that the annals of savage
warfare ever originated.
Here aud there in old libraries In
Allegheny county may still be found a
copy of the little volume. Its title is:
"A narrative of the Suiierings OF
Massey HARRISON from Indian Barbar-
tiles; Communicated by Herself and
Edited by John Winter" 1t was first
published In 1926. The truth OF the
romantic story Of Pennsylvania Dor
der life, of which Massey HARRISON was
the heroine, is attested by many who
were familiar with contemporaneou
history and who vouched for the old
lady's reputation for veracity.
Massey Harbison's descendants still
live in Buffalo township, Butler coun-
~, and few years ago two OF her
children were living in Allegheny
county. not many miles from the spot
where the Indians captured her and
killed two of her children, on the 22nd
OF May, 1872. Her strange story,
briefly summarized. is as follows:
Massey HARRISON, nee Massey White,
was born In Somerset county, New
Jersey, in l779. She was the daughter
Of Edward White. Revolutionary
soldier, who settled near Brownsville,
on the Monongahela In 1888. In 1857
she was married 10 John HARRISON.
After peace with the Indians he set
tied in what is now the edge of Butler
county, where he built "A mill on Buff
falo creek. He died in 1922.
HARRISON and his family were pi-
oneers in the vicinity of FreeIort in
1871. In March OF that year num-
Der Of murders and captures by the In
dams of settlers in that vicinity caused
the remainder TO organize Tor protec.
ton. 4 block house was erected on
the Allegheny river, mile below the
mouth of the kiskiminetas and oppo-
site the site OF Freeport. Here several
families spent the summer In safety.
Meantime John HARRISON enlisted In
Capt. Guthrie's company and went TO
light the Indians. Late in December
he returned TO the block house, bear
ing an ugly wound which he received
at the scene Of St Glars defeat. Re-
covering from his injury In the fol-
lowing March he enlisted AS spy and
was ordered 10 the woods.
The inhabitants OF the block house
having long been undisturbed, and
believing that the spy system would
protect them. left the station and
scattered 10 their cabins. That In
which Mrs. HARRISON lived was within
two hundred yards of the block house.
and was frequently visited by her hns-
band and other spies who came 10
secure food and lodging. ON the 2lst
of May, 1892, two spies davis and
Sutton) came 10 Harbisons 10 stay
over night At daylight they arose
and went out 10 the block house, leay-
ing Mrs. HARRISON still abed In the
cabin. She was awakened by the
noise they made and noticed that they
left the door open. She intended TO
get up and fasten IL, but fell asleep.
Davis returned fastened the door, and
went hack 10 the block house, while
Mrs. HARRISON and her three children
were still slumbering
She was aroused by being dragged
forcibly from the bed, and awoke to
find the house full OF Indians. Her
narrative says: "Eyery Indian held his
gun In his left hand and his tomahawk
In his right. Beholding the danger
GUS position In which then was,
jumped TO the floor upon my feet, with
the young child In my arms" She
made an effort to dress herself. but
the Indians took every article away
from her AS soon as she touched H.
While she was struggling for clothing
having on only her petticoat and
other garments Ia which she had slept
The sayages plnnderei the cabin, and
made captiyes Of the two little boys,
!. .<.I and vaoro Na.f fhav forcud